Brent Urban

Grade

Draft Analysis:

6'7" Height

34 1/4" Arm Length

295LBS. Weight

9 3/4" Hands

Overview

Grew up in suburban Toronto. Also played basketball and hockey his first two years in high school, but committed to football as an upperclassman. Redshirted in 2009. Tore his left ACL in the spring of '10, and saw very limited action in three games in the fall. Played all 13 games in '11 and was credited with 15 tackles, 2.5 for loss and zero sacks -- battled a wrist injury and had it surgically repaired after the season. Started all 12 games at defensive end in '12, recording 20-2.5-2 with two passes batted and one forced fumble. Returned a fumble 16 yards for a touchdown at Virginia Tech. Dealt with a high ankle sprain in '13, starting eight games (and missing four) and totaling 40-11.5-1 with an NCAA-leading nine passes batted. Was forced to withdraw from the Senior Bowl due to recurring issues with the ankle, then was a medical exclusion at the NFL Scouting Combine (knee). Was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the second round (15th overall selection) of the 2013 CFL Draft.

Analysis

Strengths

Looks the part -- has stature on the defensive line thanks to a long, well-proportioned physique with relatively little body fat. Has ideal dimensions for an odd front and has a large wingspan that enables him to disrupt passing lanes. Engages quickly off the snap, jolts blockers and gains extension. Can stack and shed or press single blocking and generate push. Flashes disruptive ability. Can slide inside as a nickel rusher to cave the pocket.

Weaknesses

Limited lower-body strength to anchor vs. double teams. Shows some stiffness through his shoulders and torso. Still developing recognition and instincts. Still learning blocking schemes and how to fight pressure. Needs to improve hand use (quickness and violence). Has to concentrate on keeping his pad level low -- gets uprooted and washed when he plays too tall. Linear, vanilla pass rusher (recorded just three career sacks). Relatively inexperienced. Grew up in a Canadian hockey town and has a mellow disposition that might not sit well with some people.

Draft Projection

Rounds 4-5

Bottom Line

Tall, angular, late-blooming five-technique prospect with the body type sought by teams employing odd fronts. Should only get bigger, stronger and more polished. If so, has potential to grow into an impact lineman. Broken foot bone suffered in freak accident prior to Senior Bowl could hinder his draft status.
-Nolan Nawrocki